Love and Other Delusions | Chilumi

Cold in Snezhnaya

Zhongli came back from work noticing two things; Lumine's eyes were bloodshot and Paimon was glaring daggers at a very very nervous Childe.

Before Zhongli could say a word, Childe stood up. "Mr. Zhongli, I can explain." He said.

For some reason it was almost as if Childe was about to explain to a father why his daughter looked like she just gotten her heart broken.

In reality, it's just Childe's fear of what can happen to him if he angers the former geo archon. Gnosis or not, he's still no doubt quite powerful.

"Paimon is never leaving Lumine's side ever again if it's with you!" Paimon crossed her arms.

"I told you I didn't-"

"It's okay. I'll explain to her." Lumine finally spoke up.

"I assume my help is not needed in this matter?" Zhongli asked. Lumine nodded. "Should I give you three some time to talk it out?" He asked again.

"We'll head to my teapot. We'll also have our meal there. I'm sorry for the trouble Mr. Zhongli." Lumine bowed before heading to her designated room, dragging Childe behind her.

"Wait teapot?" Childe muttered, though he just obediently followed her.

***

"So this is inside the teapot?" Childe asked, looking around the spacious place around him. They were on a floating island. It was incredible.

They were surrounded by trees of gold and stone walls made sure they won't fall off. It was little Liyue in a teapot.

In the middle stood a giant mansion with an odd floating teacup placed near it. Next to Lumine, it was humungous.

"Tubby, thank you for keeping the place lively for us." Lumine smiled.

A bird popped out the cup which startled Childe. "It's my pleasure." Tubby replied. "Friend of yours?" The adeptus turned to Childe.

"Something like that." Lumine said, which only made Paimon scoff.

"Come on." She invited Childe over to come inside the mansion. He followed of course. He wouldn't know where else to go inside there anyway.

"Help yourself at home." Lumine said. "I'll prepare something to eat for the mean time." She said.

Childe simply nodded but chose to sit on the couch nearest to the door.

"Paimon's coming with you." Paimon said, following Lumine to her designated kitchen.

As Lumine was preparing the ingredients, Paimon began asking her questions.

"Okay, what really happened back there?" Paimon asked. "Paimon is worried about you, you know?"

Lumine sighed. "I know." She said. "He really do anything, and to be honest, it was actually me who did something bad." She admitted.

"What? Did you try to attack him?" Paimon asked, surprised.

"Sort of." Lumine muttered, right at the same time she chopped the lotus head for her jade parcels.

"SORT OF?! WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?!" Paimon asked, completely surprised that she yelled it out.

"I didn't exactly hurt him, no swords were drawn directly at him." Lumine clarified. "I know I should refrain from that. Trying to fight Fatui by myself is what got me sent out in the first place." She said annoyed.

"Then what did you mean by sort of attacked him?" Paimon asked.

"I asked about his delusion..." Lumine's voice trailed off. "... I know it shouldn't be my business by now but-"